Partial image saving system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for partial image saving. The system contains at least one image-taking device, and one digital data saving and process device, which is connected to said image-taking device for receiving and process the latest image data. The digital data saving and process device contains at least one data saving device, and one image data process device. The data saving device contains at least one temporary data file, and at least one long-term data file. The latest complete image data taken by the image-taking device is first stored in the temporary data file. The image data process device will then identify targets of interest, within the complete image area, based on user-defined criteria. The image data around the targets of interest are finally stored in the long-term data file. The temporary data file will then be empty, ready for next image data. With this method, the repeated, un-important background image data are eliminated; only the image data of the area surrounding the targets of interest are stored and/or transmitted. The burden of storing and transmitting image data can be significantly reduced. The purpose of surveillance covering large area while keeping only the image data of targets of interest is then meet.

1 . A partial image saving system and method, comprising: 
 an image-taking device for continuously acquiring image data within an intended surveillance area; and    a digital data saving and processing device, connected to said image-taking device, for receiving the latest image data, wherein said digital data saving and processing device includes at least one data saving device and one image data processing device, said data saving device having therein plurarity of temporary and long-term data files;    wherein complete image data acquired by said image-taking device is temporarily stored in said temporary data files, said image data processing device then using various image processing technics to identify targets of interest within said complete image and stores only said image data near said selected targets in said long-term data file. Said complete image data in said temporary data files after been processed is then deleted to release storage space, such that said temporary data file is ready for next complete image data.    
     
     
         2 . Said partial image saving system of  claim 1 , wherein said image-taking device is a high-resolution video camera.  
     
     
         3 . Said partial image saving system of  claim 1 , wherein said digital data saving and processing device is a computer or a digital electronic device capable of performing such task.  
     
     
         4 . Said partial image saving system of  claim 1 , wherein said data saving device is a high capacity HDD (hard disc drive) or other digital memory devices.  
     
     
         5 . A method for capturing partial image data of specific targets, comprising the steps of: 
 (1) acquiring image data within an intended surveillance area continuously by means of an image-taking device;    (2) store said image data as acquired in temporary data files; and    (3) identify targets of interest in said temporary data files by means of image data process, store said image data near said selected targets in long-term data files, and delet said image data in said temporary data files to release storage space ready for next complete image.    
     
     
         6 . Said method for capturing partial image data of specific targets of  claim 5 , wherein said targets of interest are selected by one of the following criteria in accordance with the actual installtion locations or user defind requirements: movement, outline shape, color, dimensions, temperature detected by infra-red rays, and speed.